Audi B7 TDi 140 S-Line: Review...

v0n · 18 Oct 2009 at 12:34

[TW]Fox;15117384 said:
Posh looking blandmobiles for the average joe.
Although the facelift E90 and the E92 are far from gash looks wise.

But it's the E90, not A4 that is the posh looking blandmobile that outsold Mondeo, isn't it? In bottom spec, cloth seats, business stereo format, because average fleet Joe aspired to something posher with angel eyes.

jamoor · 18 Oct 2009 at 12:43

v0n said:
But it's the E90, not A4 that is the posh looking blandmobile that outsold Mondeo, isn't it? In bottom spec, cloth seats, business stereo format, because average fleet Joe aspired to something posher with angel eyes.

At least it handles well and is balanced.

[TW]Fox · 18 Oct 2009 at 12:49

V0n, low spec E90 has no angel eyes. But I agree, base spec BMWs are not nice, take a look at that 320d in show us your motors, 13 grand on a 3.5 year old cloth trimmed SE with small wheels, its about paying for a badge. However at least the fundamentals are there, even a crap spec BMW drives nicely despite looking crap inside and out and desperately screaming I want a badge.

That Mondeo thing is hugely misleading as it counts Coupes and Cabs as well which of course you cant get as a Mondeo.

atpbx · 18 Oct 2009 at 12:58

I'm amazed that the conclusion he comes to in his review is that a moderately powerful middle of the range diesel is good on the motorway and not so great at mixing it up on the B roads.

I'd never of guessed

[TW]Fox · 18 Oct 2009 at 13:05

He was comparing it to other moderately priced saloons in what he wrote. duh

OllyM · 18 Oct 2009 at 13:14

All LCI E90's have angel eyes now, even if they don't have HID's.

Rilot · 18 Oct 2009 at 13:23

The only Audi I've enjoyed driving was my A8, unfortunately I didn't get to drive it very often as it was always broken.
I drove most of the 2005 Audi range over the course of a year while my A8 was in and out of the shop. None of them were particularly inspiring. Even the turbo TT and S6 I borrowed were dull.
The only one I actually had fun it was the Allroad, and that was only because it was a courtesy car so I had no issues with driving over kerbs, grass and other crap I would never consider with my own car.

Housey · 18 Oct 2009 at 14:18

[TW]Fox;15118040 said:
He was comparing it to other moderately priced saloons in what he wrote. duh

I think people are speed reading, seeing RS this, GT that, Griffith and not reading what I wrote.

BMW basic saloons are better cars to drive when compared to Audi basic saloons. Audi should not play up their sporting prowess if they don't deliver a car that offers a sporting drive and all this effort a Le Mans means sod all if it's not reflected across the range.

atpbx · 18 Oct 2009 at 14:44

[TW]Fox;15118040 said:
He was comparing it to other moderately priced saloons in what he wrote. duh

Whats that got to do with the price of fish?

Medium size diesel in mediocrity shocker I could have gone with.

[TW]Fox · 18 Oct 2009 at 14:55

But his point which you still seem to miss is that its rival is not as mediocre.

Sukh · 18 Oct 2009 at 15:05

Just to add to the conversation, dad drives a big A6 petrol, nice car inside with the MMI and so on, but jeeez, the ride can be hard, same stiffness as Mum's SLK. I think they should make it as follows:

Sport = S-Line in current guise + feel in steering
S-line = S- line in current guise + softer set up and same steering.

Housey · 18 Oct 2009 at 15:13

When serviced we have had 2 other S-Line 140TDi's, oddly, one being and Avant and one a saloon pretty much the same as our current one. Interestingly both had slightly better rides as does my neighbours brothers, a 170TDi but they are all poor compared to a 320D of which I have driven a couple, no least a Touring version for 1 week in Italy when on holiday and the BMW's are MUCH nicer to drive with a better ride and are more cosseting, though I do find the Audi sports seats are better than those in the BMW. The steering, braking and basic ride on the BMW is better, as it was in the C Class I had on loan in Scotland a few weeks back. Both the BMW and the C Class are much nicer cars to drive than the Audi and in the looks stakes the C Class has them both licked in my eyes. My summary, and I repeat, was that Audi are not moving their game on. I have had a number of A4's over the years, from new, and pretty much all have the same traits of numb steering, VERY bad damping, poor body control and over servoed brakes. Drive a C Class then drive and A4 straight after over the same road if you want to see and feel the differences in damping.

All my opinion of course but I like to think I could never be accused of being a fanboy when it comes to anything, not least cars and always feel I am objective. I question that many others on this site (though far from all!) have a similar objective outlook...

atpbx · 18 Oct 2009 at 16:23

[TW]Fox;15118790 said:
But his point which you still seem to miss is that its rival is not as mediocre.

No I haven't missed it, but feel free to try and make an argument out of nothing.
Is this the part of the conversation where you go round in circles trying to score Internet points now?

[TW]Fox · 18 Oct 2009 at 17:07

Could it be the part where you explain what you are on about? All you've really done is so 'what a suprise a dull car is dull'. Whats your point exactly?